Noodling on Malden 8

Our townhouse-hunting reader visited Malden 8 over the weekend and kindly shared a few photos and impressions of the place. As you can see, much progress has been made since I snapped a few photos in July. The townhouses are still on track for an estimated completion date of Feb 2012 and prices are still not set although they are expected to be in the $600K range.

From our reader:

My impression is that the price point seems high, but I understand that some of the units have a garage, and they are close to 15th so the location may yield a higher price tag. However, the townhomes feel right up against each other (it would be impossible for two cars to pass each other in the driveway entrance), and all you can really see from the rooftop deck is the other rooftop decks (all at exactly the same level). From the rear units, your view is the back of several dilapidated houses that are within spitting distance.

When asked for my own thoughts, of course I had a few to share — mostly, thumbs up to modern-style townhouses! — in addition to this response:

“They’re too close together.” Anytime there’s more than a row of 2-3 townhouses in a development then it is common to see comments that the units are all too close together. Probably because it is more than just sharing walls with your neighbors but you actually look at them too. Personally, I had the same reaction when I toured the Highbury and I know I saw similar comments from Matt about Twenty Five on the Park when he toured those. I think that’s just how that’s going to be for a larger development and you have to decide if you are okay with it or not.

“You have views of your neighbors deck.” This seems like a non-issue to me because there are workarounds: either through architectural solutions such as placing the stairway/doors in the middle to provide a level of privacy (Highbury did a little of that but it doesn’t appear like Malden 8 did) or bring in landscaping to do that for you.

“Back units look onto older houses.” If your priority is location, then a few older houses nearby might be what you have to accept. However, if those residences promote unwanted activities (and I have no knowledge that this is the case here) then that is something to take into consideration. It is also possible that those old houses might eventually get replaced with newer construction at some point. Both issues might be worth researching if you’re an interested buyer.

“Price seems high.” In terms of price, $600’s is on the high end for new construction townhouses on Capitol Hill. However, I believe the square footage on these is also higher so the price per square foot might actually be comparable. The location is pretty prime as you mention and if the design and finishes support that price point (ie. appliances, fixtures, floors, built green, or whatever) then it might very well be a fair mark. That said, demand could have an influence on what they ultimately sell for as well.

Unfortunately, I don’t really have extensive data to share on townhouse demand (or supply) but here’s what I can point to on Capitol Hill:

Highbury’s 10 units have been on the market for nearly a year now and still have units available. The development is in a fairly good location on the hill (13th Ave E and John), has similar “close neighbor” challenges, and is marketed at $348/sf for 1,100-1,400 sf after a round of price reductions earlier this year.

I have been following Malden 8 closely, I lived across the street in the apartments so I can speak that the location is fantastic, so you will pay a premium for that. The proximity of the roof decks to neighbors, well, there is no view! If you get a front unit, you have a view of my ugly old apartment building, if you get a back unit, the old houses you speak of are actually businesses, Coastal Kitchen being one of them (you can see it in above photos). I don’t see that as a liability, but I am sure if you crack a window, you’ll be smelling all sorts of food, trash, etc, delievery trucks in the AM… I had high hopes, if you look at some of the free standing homes on Malden to the north, they are wonderful. Even the townhouses two doors down South on Malden are much better proportioned. Units lacking a garage will have a tough time finding parking, and another gripe, some of the plans lack a 1/2 bath on the living/kitchen level, so to pee you have to go up or down a flight of stairs. I think the developers missed the mark with a terrific piece of land.

Deerhawke

I have been watching these closely too. I live down Malden half a block and agree with Colin that the neighborhood couldn’t be better. I don’t know if you can get a walk score over 100 but this would be my pick.

But maybe Collin and I sneaked in on different weekends. There are really nice city views from the front and good views of Rainier from the back. But the bigger deal here is that the roof decks are HUGE. And I was totally impressed by the fact that the builders are putting in sky gardens and a small kitchen off each roof deck. Talk about a sweet place for a party…

It helped that I got caught by the builder (Tom?) and he took a while to show me around and talk to me after I apologized lamely for trespassing. The finishes here are going to be seriously sick. And all the units have parking BTW. 4 get garages and 4 get surface parking plus a big storage closet. Either works for me.

Whether my partner and I can afford one of these, I think this is great for the neighborhood. I didn’t know it but the architects PB Elemental have gotten gobs of awards and have their office here on the Hill above Stumptown.

Finbar

How funny. Evidently all of us nosy neighbors have been in on the weekends. It would be nice to know the price on these. My partner and I bought a too-small 1200 sf. 2-bed place a few blocks north and with furniture it feels like a closet now, esp. when we have guests. Malden feels big for this area, like 1800 sf…? They have decent-sized yards for the pooch and the big roof deck (w/ kitchen and speaker cabling). They also have decent closets for a change. They are going all out on Italian cabinets, metal stairway, and looks like wide plank hardwoods. Lots of modern tile going in.These remind me of the Silvie where we looked at the same stage of construction, but better floor plans and more windows. I am guessing well over $600k– builders always understate the price to get you interested. But I am still hoping they have something there under $600K because that is where we have to draw the line.

Collin H.

Good insight Deerhawke, I wish I had gotten caught by the builder, and it sounds like he was cool about it. If you buy, I’ll bartend the housewarming party!